Charter to Cleveland, TN: You Are Not Sufficiently Profitable

Tuesday October 13, 2009

Not too far away from Chattanooga, Tennessee, (home to the largest muni fiber network in the U.S.) lies Cleveland (Tennessee). Five prominent residents asked why they cannot get broadband:

The homeowners have discussed the problem with Charter Communications Director of Government Relations Nick Pavlis three times.

Pavlis said in a telephone interview it would cost the cable company $130,000 to run an underground cable 2 1/2 miles and “it’s just not a reasonable payback.”

He said the company spends $500 per house as a general rule, which gives them a 36-48 month return on investment.

Yet Charter has no problem lobbying the states to prohibit publicly owned networks. Tennessee probably has more fiber-to-the-home initiatives than any other state - perhaps it is time Cleveland looked into their own or cajoling a nearby network into expanding.

High Cost Of The “Bargain:” Trump Administration BEAD Changes Herald Slower, More Expensive Broadband

Elon Musk stands with his hands on his hip, back to camera surveying exploded rocket debris

Karl Bode

on Jul 29, 2025

The early story coming out of states like Tennessee, Colorado, and Texas, where state leaders are being forced to dramatically revamp billions of dollars in Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grant planning, is a move away from future-proof fiber networks toward slower, more expensive satellite options that don’t seem likely to fix U.S. broadband woes. In all three states the changes have introduced new delays and lowered last mile quality control standards. But an early look at the revamped bidding process in all three states shows that millions of dollars are likely being redirected away from locally-owned fiber networks to billionaire-owned low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite broadband options insufficient to the task.

California’s Affordable Broadband Bill At Risk Of Being Destroyed By Lobbying

A sticky note reads "changes in legislation" placed near computer keyboard on desk

Karl Bode

on Jul 3, 2025

California lawmakers’ efforts to pass a new law mandating affordable broadband access is at risk of being destroyed by industry lobbying. California insiders say the changes are so dramatic they may wind up making broadband affordability in the state worse – undermining years of digital equity activism and discarding a rare opportunity to bridge the digital divide.

Massachusetts Lawmakers Hold Hearing Today on Affordable Broadband Bill

Sean Gonsalves

on May 6, 2025

Legislation that would require ISPs operating in Massachusetts to offer qualifying low-income households high-speed Internet service for $15 per month is set to have its first legislative hearing today. The hearing in Massachusetts comes as similar legislation is being considered by state lawmakers in Vermont and California – all three of which are modeled on New York’s Affordable Broadband Act.

Volunteer Energy Cooperative Expands Fiber In Tennessee On Back Of ARPA Grant

Karl Bode

on Feb 27, 2025

Volunteer Energy Cooperative in Birchwood Tennessee says it’s leveraging American Rescue Plan Act funding to expand affordable fiber access into long underserved parts of The Volunteer State. VEC has begun construction on a new fiber expansion plan that will bring affordable fiber access to nearly 300 homes in Birchwood thanks to a $615,617 ARPA grant.

New York Awards $13.1 Million In New Low Income Housing Broadband Grants

NY affordable housing complex in the Bronx

Karl Bode

on Jan 9, 2025

New York State officials have unveiled the first round of broadband deployment grants made possible by the state’s $100 million Affordable Housing Connectivity Program (AHCP). The plan aims to drive affordable fiber and cheap Wi-Fi to low-income state residents trapped on the wrong side of the digital divide.